Norman Reynolds, having become “unretired”, has had to resign from the Committee and Jenny Knapp is on six months leave of absence. Luckily we had two new volunteers who we quickly co-opted on to the Committee. Pat James has taken over Jenny’s job as Secretary and Cashier and Elizabeth Gets is the new Speaker Seeker. Jane Saner who has been our Media Relations person, though not a member of the Committee, has also resigned and Jean Nixon has taken over that portfolio
All general meetings start at 09.30 for 10.00 am at the Muizenberg Pavilion on the first Thursday of each month.
April 3rd - Wouter van Warmelo will show his slides taken in Greece.
May 1st - Jennifer Chiappini: An African Adventure. Up the East Coast in a 4X4 to Europe and then through the Sahara Desert to Timbuktu
June 5th - Dr. Bruce Copley: Retirement: Are you fighting, fleeing, fumbling or flowing?”
At our last meeting we tried out our new lapel microphone which, after a few moments of adjustment, gave greatly improved sound audible everywhere in the pavilion, justifying the expense incurred. We are planning to buy a second one.
Shirley Ross always writes an excellent summary of our monthly meetings. If you would like a copy of what a particular speaker said, ask Fi to email you or let her have a self-addressed and stamped envelope.
Our finances continue in a very healthy position. We have had very grateful letters from the three organisations mentioned in the last newsletter to whom we gave donations.
Fi Skennerton reports that membership continues to rise and has reached 650. Subscriptions became due in the New Year. If you have not yet renewed your sub and wish to avoid queuing at our Thursday meetings, please post a cheque to Fi including a self-addressed and stamped envelope so that she can pop your new membership card straight in and post it to you. Otherwise come early to the next meeting, say between 9.00 and 9.30 am, pay your sub and then enjoy your tea or coffee and a chat.
Hazel Humphreys continues to co-ordinate a wide variety of courses. Since the last newsletter, we have dropped two courses but we have three new courses to offer:
Mondays Starting to write - Short course - Cynthia MacPherson
Fridays Painting with Acrylics - Philip Glazer
Fridays Beginners’ French - Marthe Cross
Elisabeth Straube is looking for new recruits for her Course “Mudras Finger Yoga for Vitality” which help you cope with modern stress.
We offer our thanks to all the Course Leaders. We are always looking for new courses so if you have the knowledge or skill or enthusiasm to start a new course please get in touch with Hazel.
THE UBUNTU CARE GROUP
When the U3A in China held a survey amongst the million members in their 28 000 branches they discovered that what the vast majority appreciated most was not what they learnt in the lectures and classes but the friendship and support and care which they received from other members. With this in mind we would like to expand our Ubuntu Care Group. If you would be prepared to help another member who is ill, injured, in bed or in hospital, down or depressed, or simply share a walk on the beach, please send your name, address, ‘phone number and e-mail address to Elfi.
And please write down the following in case one day you or someone you know needs help: Elfi Tomlinson: 021 788 7842 - elfitom@gmail.com
Have you ever struggled to find a reliable supplier or service provider in the field of plumbing or electrics, home hairdressing or gardening, etc? We are planning to build up a list of providers in the area, based on your recommendations, which we will make available only to our members. Should there be anyone you would particularly like to recommend, please contact Jean Nixon via email: jnixon@global.co.za or telephone 021 782 6765. We require the name, telephone number, address and the type of service they provide.
We are always looking for ways to improve our branch of U3A so we welcome suggestions, criticism or accolades. To make communication easier we will have a suggestion box on the table at each meeting.
One person has had to drop out and we are looking for a replacement. Wouldn’t you like to join 7 other young-at-heart members on a beautiful springtime cruise down the Thames and back from 2nd to 16th June? Only £350 which works out to £25 per day. ‘Phone Peter on 021 788 9469 or e-mail to peteric@telkomsa.net
'Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming 'WOO HOO, What a Ride'
Peter Rickards
Chairman